A truck specifically designed for off-highway work at mine sites with an ability to operate as a water tanker carrying 75,000l of water, or fitted out as service vehicle to carry up to 65,000l of fuel, oils or lubricants and other fluids for mining machinery, is the sum total of one of the configurations of Haulmax's latest 3900 series off-highway trucks.
"The extra heavy-duty chassis with a flat chassis rail design as well as the two rear axle drive system have resulted in this outstanding payload," said Bob Calvert, global marketing manager at Haulmax.
Although only recently released, a 3900 series has already been committed to work in Western Australia's Pilbara region as a service vehicle to carry up to 65,000l of fluids in the custom designed module. The service module was designed and built by Narwhal.
The vehicle offers many advantages over converted on-highway trucks that can often clock up heavy maintenance and repair bills.
An ability to multi task is another reason the Haulmax truck represents the ideal configuration for Australia's mine sites. After being fitted with a water tanker it can be a simple matter to remove the tank and then utilise it for example as a tow tractor.
"Typically, it is the attaching of a 'fifth wheel' to create a tow tractor – to tow payloads of up to 150t," said Mr Calvert. "Alternatively, a body can be added to give a dump truck with a payload of up to 85t. The flat chassis makes a changeover a relatively quick and economical process," he explained.
Carrying fluids, particularly diesel fuel – requires a very surefooted vehicle and this is where the Haulmax truck has something extra to offer.
"The surefootedness comes from a number of factors," added Mr Calvert. "First, a relatively low centre of gravity, especially when compared with the standard mine dump trucks converted to tanker work. Then there are the two rear driving axles which result in a far greater area over which the gross weight is spread."
Ground area contact with a conventional 90 tonne dump truck is around 3.6m², versus the Haulmax truck at 4.5m². That’s 25% more ground contact.
"Combine this with the extra braking capacity and you have that ideal level of surefootedness – especially on downhill grades," he concluded.
The Haulmax truck delivers an outstanding report card for water tanker, service truck or tow tractor work on a wide variety of mine sites.
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